Chicago Bear Running Back Jordan Howard, Fights For A Pulmonary Fibrosis Cure 10 Years After His Father's Death

CHICAGO, Jan. 10, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- NFL Offensive Rookie of the Month and Chicago Bears MVP Jordan Howard imagines a world without pulmonary fibrosis (PF), the disease that cut his father's life short. Howard is launching a campaign to commemorate the 10-year anniversary of his father's death with a fundraising challenge to benefit the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (PFF). The campaign asks individuals to donate $10, then to recruit 10 people to donate $10 to help support the PFF's efforts to find a cure. Howard will personally match the first $10,000 donated to the campaign.

"My dad was my best friend and I miss him every day," said Howard. "Ten years is like yesterday to me. I want everyone affected by pulmonary fibrosis to keep fighting, keep having hope and faith and keep believing there will be a cure."

Howard was 12 years old when his father, Dr. Reginald B. "DOC" Howard, passed away at age 52 on January 31, 2007 after a nine-year battle with the disease.

Howard became a champion for the PFF when he pledged his support to the PF community in November 2016. He auctioned PF-branded cleats with his father's nickname, "DOC," during the NFL's inaugural My Cause, My Cleats campaign on December 4. Howard scored three touchdowns during the Bears' 26-6 victory over the San Francisco 49ers. Proceeds from the auction benefited the PFF.

Recently, Howard and the PFF teamed up on a giant billboard campaign in Times Square. The 15-second ad tells Howard's story and invites viewers to join the fight. It appears on a supersize 29-foot-by-56-foot billboard at 1500 Broadway and 43rd St in New York City. The spot runs three times an hour, 20 hours a day through March 1.

"Our community is inspired by Jordan's incredible generosity and his ability to turn his personal loss into a passion for finding a cure for this disease," said Patti Tuomey, EdD, President and Chief Executive Officer of the PFF.

Pulmonary fibrosis is a devastating group of progressive diseases that cause scarring in the lungs, limiting oxygen intake. As a result, the brain, heart and other organs do not get the required oxygen needed in order to function properly. There is no known cure for PF.

To make a donation and for more information about Jordan Howard's involvement with the PFF, visit teampff.org.

About the Pulmonary Fibrosis FoundationThe Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (PFF) mobilizes people and resources to provide access to high quality care and leads research for a cure so people with pulmonary fibrosis (PF) will live longer, healthier lives. The PFF collaborates with physicians, organizations, people with PF and caregivers worldwide. The Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation has a four-star rating from Charity Navigator and is a Better Business Bureau accredited charity. The PFF Summit 2017, its fourth biennial international health care conference, will be held in November 9-11, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. For more information, visit pulmonaryfibrosis.org or call 844.TALK.PFF (844.825.5733) or +1.312/587.9272 from outside the U.S.